Speedway – Flint bids for world final glory

Berwick-born teenager Leon Flint, the newly-crowned British Youth Champion, has qualified for the Final of the World 250cc Championship in Prague in the Czech Republic on Thursday.

The 14-year-old recovered from a last place in his first ride in Tuesday’s semi-final at Prague to win his next four heats to pick up 12 points and finish third on the day.

A decision to swap bikes after the opening heat proved crucial and Leon said: “After watching the first semi-final I knew how difficult it would be to qualify.

“In my first ride I tried a new bike and made a good start but it didn’t feel like I was getting anywhere.

“I came in and said straight away that I wanted to jump on the second bike. It felt really good to ride and gave me lots of confidence.”

The youngster added: “I’m gutted that we didn’t start on that bike as I think I could’ve been up there in first place, but the main thing was to qualify for the final.”

Leon qualifies as Great Britain’s only representative after Kyle Bickley and Jack Parkinson-Blackburn failed to make it through the semi-final.